Ramiele Malubay : American Idol Finalist

Ramiele Malubay (born September 6, 1987 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia) is a Filipino American singer and was the 9th place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol.

Malubay was born in Saudi Arabia to Filipino parents Roger Malubay and Alicia Macrowon, who worked in Saudi Arabia. She grew up in the Philippines and the United States and graduated from Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Florida. Malubay spent most of her early years in the Philippines, but currently resides in Miramar, Florida. She is currently a nursing student at Broward Community College. She started Polynesian Dancing when she was in the first grade and started singing at the age of twelve. She can speak fluent Tagalog & Ilocano.

She successfully auditioned for American Idol in August, 2007 when she sang Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”. She came in 9th place and is believed to be the shortest contestant in Idol history, standing only 4 feet 11 inches tall. It was frequently shown that a friendship formed between Ramiele and former idol contestants Danny Noriega, Kady Malloy, and Syesha Mercado. They were both roommates on the show. Her musical influences are Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, Lani Misalucha and she cited Regine Velasquez as her favorite performer. Ramiele was eliminated from American Idol on April 2, 2008. She was in tears, but managed to perform “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” one final time following her elimination. Ramiele had never been in the Bottom 3 prior to her elimination.

Malubay expressed her willingness to go to the Philippines to pursue her career, following the footsteps of Idol alumnus Jasmine Trias (who made her career in the United States and in the Philippines). Ramiele will join American Idol Top 10 finalists on their American Idol Summer tour. She said that if all else fails, she’ll pursue her studies and try acting. Her appearances after elimination includes Live with Regis and Kelly, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, The Sauce, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, Access Hollywood and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ramiele expressed her willingness to work with Disney during her appearance onThe Morning Show.

She was nominated as a Favorite TV Personality in 2008 JC Penney Asian Excellence Awards, but did not win.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramiele_Malubay